Method and apparatus for reading targets



y 6, 1965 R. E. M DANNOLD 3,193,818

I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING TARGETS Filed April 22, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 1 RO'NALD E. MCDANNOLD INVENTOR.

FIG.. 3 ATTORNEYS July 6, 1965 R. E. MCDANNOLD 3,193,818

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING TARGETS Filed April 22, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 5 5 12 I I I I' 'l' it 56 FIG 7 RONALD E. MCDANNOLIDINVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS July 6, 1965 R. E. M DANNOLD METH OD AND APPARATUS FOR READINGTARGETS Filed April 22', less 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS July 6, 1965 R.E. M DANNOLD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING TARGETS Filed April 22,1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- FIG RONALD E. MC DANNOLD INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,193,818 METHOD AND APPARATUS FURREADING TARGETS Ronald E. McDannold, R0. Box 646, Bellevue, Wash. FiledApr. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 274,605 Claims. (Cl. 340323) This inventionrelates to a new and useful concept in a target reading device and moreparticularly to a firearms target reading device which automaticallyindicates the position the bullet has hit on the target and which alsoshows the score obtained by a particular hit.

One of the primary reasons for the lack of spectator interest in targetshooting matches has been the lack of equipment for conveying to thegallery or spectators information as to location and score of a shot. Itis well known that many people are and would be interested in targetshooting matches were there some method by which target hits and scorescould be immediaetly registered by large display boards. Normally ifthere are spectators they will lose interest within a short period oftime so that by the time the match is well under way all spectators havedeserted the area. In some matches it is -customary to have a person inthe pits signal the general location of the shot to register and conveythe score. Many matches will use a telescope through which the shooterwill look at the target after he has fired a shot.

.This auxiliary equipment is expensive and though it may help theshooter it does not help the spectators. Regulation matches entail theuse of only one target for each shot made. Thus a series of target areused so that each target may be removed after a shot has been firedtherein. There are numerous types of target moving devices in use but inprinciple after a shot has been fired the used target is moved away fromthe target area and a new one moved in to take its place. It is commonfor participants in a match not to know their scores until the dayfollowing the actual shooting.

This invention seeks to remedy a long felt need in the sport of firearmsshooting matches. In effect, this target reading device permits thespectators to be informed instantly of a shot location and score. Thisdevice comprises a system whereby when a shot has been fired the targetis indexed over a reading plate otf to one side and in a protectedposition in regard to the actual target area. When the used target hasmoved to its indexed position it overlies a plate having a great numberof electrical contact points. A brush mechanism sweeps the target fromthe opposite side of the target paper making contact with one or severalof the electrical contact points on the reading plate through the holemade by the bullet. Thus electric circuits are completed through thecontact points on the reading plate and the sweep arm which willidentify the location of the bullet hit and which will at the same timeindicate the score on a numbered board. The circuitry isso designed thatthe target hit location on the display target and the numbers lighted toregister score can be held for as long as is desired until a resetswitch breaks the circuit, thereby reading the target reader for thenext target.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a method andapparatus for reading target which is simple in design and concept,flexible in the extent of the electronic circuitry which must beincluded therein and easy to construct.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a method and apparatus forreading atarget which permits the audience to know almost immediatelythe location of the hit and the score achieved.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a target readingmethod and apparatus for detecting the position of a hole in a targetmade by the passage of a bullet to a prominent display target erectedfor interested spectators.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method andapparatus for reading targets which will also indicate the score awardedand the location of the hit to the person at the firing line whoactually does the shooting.

A further object of this invention is to supply a method and apparatusfor reading targets which may be easily adapted to indoor or outdoorranges.

An even further object of this invention is to furnish a method andapparatus for reading target which may be easily adapted toconventionally known mechanisms for moving used targets out of thetarget area and a new target into the target area.

Other objects and advantages, which will become apparent, reside in thedetails of construction and method of operation more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed. Reference will be had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this disclosure, wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration in perspective indicating how the target maybe set up, for instance, in an indoor range and how the scoring numbersand display target may be set up for the advantage of the shooter;

FIGURES 2 and 3 represent a plan view and a front elevational view of atypical mechanism for moving used targets out of the target area and newtargets into the target area, and further illustrating how the targetmethod and apparatus of this invention can be adapted to saidconventional indexing device;

FIGURE 4 is a cross section plan view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE.3 and showing how the target will be disposed between the reader platecontact points and the brushes;

FIGURE 5 is a partial view in elevation indicating the general patternwhich will be represented by the electrical contact points on the faceof the reader plate;

FIGURE 6 shows how the display target and the score numbers maybe shownon a display stand;

FIGURE 7 is a partial side cross sectional elevational view taken alongthe line 7--7 of FIGURE 6 and showing how the lights for the displaytarget and for the numbers may be arranged;

FIGURE 8 is an electrical schematic diagram showing in its basic formhow readings from the reader plate are transmitted to and held on thedisplay target and the score counter;

FIGURE 9 is a typical sectional view showing detail of FIGURE 4 on anenlarged scale;

FIGURE 10 is a face view of a metallic brush passing over the bulletperforation of FIGURE 9 to sense the position of the bullet hole withrespect to the bulls eye; and

FIGURE 11 is a typical diagrammatic view through a protected range andillustrating bullet-proof baffles as they are preferably employed.

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that a series of targets,generally designated by the number 10, may be set up to form a number ofshooting lanes, either indoors or outdoors. The target equipment doesnot take any special form except that, as FIGURE 1 indicates, a targetdisplay apparatus and score counter may be set up at the firing end ofthe lane for the benefit of the shooter 14 and also for the benefit ofspectators at the rear of the firing line.

The target indexing mechanism 10 may be of many conventional designswith that shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 being only representative of one typeof target apparatus. The targets are printed according to regulationspecifications and standards on continuous rolls of paper 16. The supplyroll 16 is mounted on an axis spindle 18 within a bulletproof enclosure26. The roll 16 is unwound in a single continuous sheet 22 across theopen target area or alley 24. The sheet 22 extends through the readermechanism generally designated by the number 26 and is rewound on thespindle 28, said spindle 28 also being on an axis spindle and beingdriven by a motor 30. The unrolling and rolling mechanism is protected,of course, against the danger of stray bullets and is so constructedthat it moves forward only enough at any given time to move a fired upontarget 32 from the shooting position in alley 24 to its position overthe reader plate in the target reader 26. Note that the rewind spindle28 and the reading device 26 are also housed in a bulletproof enclosuregenerally designated by the number 34. The indexing mechanism for movingthe target roll a predetermined distance is not shown since it forms nopart of this invention and only serves to indicate the environment inwhich this invention is used.

The sensing device or reader 26 as illustrated in FIG- URES 4 through 8comprises primarily an electric conductive plate 36 which in itspreferred form would be the material from which printed circuit boardsor plates are made. Boards 36 have a myriad number of contact points 38which are so arranged or patterned that they are closer together thanthe diameter of the bullet for which the target is designed to receive.Thus the contact points 38 may be formed into the board at any desireddensity. The only limitation on density is the minimum number of contactpoints 38 used. For any one hole made in the target at least one of thecontact points 38 would have to be exposed by the bullet hole. Statedanother way the distance between any two adjacent contact points must besuch as to be less than the diameter of the bullet. Such greatestdistance is dependent upon the caliber of bullet being fired.Preferably, of course, it is best to have the density of the contactpoints 38 so that at least one and preferably as many as four contactsare exposed by a single bullet hole.

The contacts 38 are connected to conductor wires 48 which lead to thescore counter and to the display target. Hence the reader plate 36 is sodesigned that it covers the entire target area. The contacts 38 are forthe purpose of registering the location of the strike on the displaytarget. In order to register a score on the score counter at the displayboard 12 the reader plate 36 has electrical contact rings 42 alsoprinted thereon. Said contact rings are connected electrically to thescore counter in the same manner in which the contacts 38 areelectrically connected to the display board. The rings 42 are designedon the target so that a bullet hole will always contact at least one andoccasionally two. Score will always be kept on the basis of the highervalue ring which is actually broken by the bullet hole. The contactrings 42 on board 36 align accurately with the score rings as printed onthe paper target.

In order to roll target strip 22 neatly and smoothly over the sensingdevice side rollers 24 may be provided. Thus the target paper 22 isprevented from snagging or tearing on the corners of the sensingapparatus. As mentioned above, when the target with the hole in it hasbeen indexed over the reader plate 36 and the hole will leave exposed,as may be seen in FIGURES and 8, at least one of the contact points 38on the plate. In order to complete the electrical circuit through thecontact points so that the display target may be lighted, anelectrically conductive brush mechanism 48 sweeps over the front side ofthe target. The brush 48 is carried on arm 46 and is composed of a greatnumber of fine electrical wires. The arms 46 can be pivoted, move intracks either up or down, side to side, diagonally or it may also bemoved directly toward and away from the target roll 22. In any eventwhen the arm 48 is moved across the front of the 4.- target certain ofthe brushes 48 will probe through the hole made by the bullet andphysically contact at least one of the contact points 38. Hence anelectrical circuit is completed through the bullet hole via the brushes48 and the contact point 38.

As mentioned above, the target scoring rings are so space concentricallythat a bullet will always cut at least one and perhaps two or" therings. In the event two rings are cut then the higher value is awardedto the shooter. It is the rings which carry scoring value and whichaccount for the fact that contact rings 42 are connected to the numberson the display board 12.

FIGURES 6 and 7 indicate one way in which a display board may bedesigned. The display target has a number of lights corresponding torespective contact points on the reader plate 36. Lights 50, forinstance would be connected so as to light the number value 5 or anyother number according to the ring out by the shot. Similarly lights 52would indicate the target location of the bullet hit according to theircorresponding contact points 38 on the reader plate 36. For purposes ofillustration a translucent sheet of light conducting material 54 isplaced over the lights to give the display an attractive appearance.Obviously specific design of the display board is a matter of designpreference. The lights 50 and 52 have leads 56 and 58 by which they areconnected to their respective contact points 38 or contact rings 42.

FIGURE 8 shows a schematic electrical diagram indicating how the basiccircuitry may be set up to register the hits and scores on the displayboard. The reader plate 36 has a target on front of it in which thestrike has been in the lower right quadrant ahnost directly centered onthe number seven ring. The bullet hole has exposed four contact points38 and the number seven contact ring 42 for completion of circuits. Arm46 sweeps the front of the target. Brushes 48 extend through the hole 64and complete the circuit in the following manner: Power comes from thesource P1 into the circuit board by way of conductor line 66 and makescontact with the brushes 48. Rings 42 have conductor line 68 leading toa display light or lights at the score counter valve 7. The circuit iscompleted through line 70 to the power source P2. For the most desirableuse the line 70 is best provided with a holding relay 71 so that all theshots of a string, fired on a single target can be visualized at onceand then the various leads cleared for the next shooter.

In like manner to begin circuit through contact points 38, power isbrought from P1 to brush 48 through line 66. Since the contact made bybrushes 48 with contact points 38 and contact rings 42 is onlymomentary, it is necessary to use relays in order to hold the circuitclosed. A first circuit is completed through 78 coming from its contactpoint 38, to a target light 52, and to relay K1 via line 84, and thenceto P2 through line 86. In this way a temporary circuit actuates K1 toclose switch 81 and establish a closed circuit P1 through line 80,switch 81, line 82, line 78, light 52, line 84, through relay K1, line86, and to source P2. This circuit will remain closed until the resetswitch 110 is pressed to interrupt the power supply and thus open thecircuit.

Similarly a second temporary circuit is achieved from another of thefour exposed contact points 38 through line 76, lights 52, line 92,relay K2, and line 94 to source P2. A second closed circuit is thenestablished from P1, through line 90, relay switch 89, line 88, line 76,light 52, line 92, through relay K2, line 94, to source P2.

In like manner a third actuating circuit is established from theappropriate contact point 38, through line 74, target light 52, line 98,relay K3, and line to source P2. Thus relay K3 actuated establishing aclosed circuit from P1, through line 96, relay switch 97, line 99, line74, light 52, line 98, back to relay K3, line 100 and source P2.

A fourth temporary circuit may be traced from contact point 38, line 72,light 52, line 106, relay K4, line 108 to source P2. The relay isthereby picked closing switch 101 and establish a closedcircuit from P1through line 102, switch 101, line 104, line 72, light 52, line 106,returned to K4, line 108 and thence to source P2.

At such time as the location of the strike has been noted by the shooterand by the spectators and the score noted on the score counter 60, thereset button 110 may be pressed to break the actuated circuits andthereby clear the display board and ready it for the next targetreading. Basically this or a similar type circuit would be used in thisdevice. Obviously it could be refined to include memory devices fortotalizing scores. Use of such equipment however is strictly optionaland whether it is used would depend on need and financing available.

FIGURE 11 shows how a range such as is shown in FIGURE 1 would look indiagrammatic cross section. Note that the mechanism for moving targetsthrough the alley or target area 24 could be mounted on horizontalshafts or on vertical shafts as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Thearrows 23 represent projectile trajectories in order to show how thebaffles may act to protect the shooter.

It should be observed that this target reading device is not limited inmethod or structure to a firearms projec tile. The method and apparatusis intended to be adapted to other types of projectiles such as inarchery lanes and for the objects fired from compressed. air guns andthe like. The principle of a multiple contact reader plate as touched orphysically contacted by another element through a projectile hole in atarget is an essential part of this invention. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the brush of the preferred embodiment is only one ofnumerous alternatives. The means for contacting the reader plate pointscould be solid or made of spring type contacts and it need notnecessarily sweep or move with respect to the reader plate. It isapparent that holding circuits as shown herein could be eliminated andthat the means contacting the reader plate through the projectile holewhether in brush form or otherwise could be stationary thus providing aclosed circuit for as long as desired without benefit of relays and areset switch.

The above is considered as illustrative only and the principle of thisinvention. Numerous modifications and changes Will readily occur tothose skilled in the art and hence it is not desired to limit theinvention to the exact construction and method of operation as shown anddescribed. Accordingly all modifications and equivalents which maysuitably be resorted to and which fall within the scope of the inventionare intended to be included.

What is claimed is:

1. A reading and scoring device for projectile targets, comprising:

(a) a reader plate having a plurality of small electrical contact pointsand a plurality of contact rings theron,

(b) an electrical contact arm means facing said reader plate in closeproximity thereto and being adapted to contact said contact pointsthrough a projectile hole in a target adapted to be moved between saidarm means and said reader plate,

(c) a display target means remotely situated from said reading andscoring device having a plurality of lights thereon,

(d) a plurality of first electrical circuit means connecting saidcontact points on said reader plate with correspondingly located lightson said display target,

(e) a score counter display board means having target numerical valuesand also having at least one light for each of said target numericalvalues, and

(f) a plurality of second electrical circuit means connecting saidcontact rings on said reader plate with the appropriate numerical valueon said display board means.

2. A reading and scoring device for projectile targets,

comprising:

(a) a reader plate having a plurality of small electrical contact pointson one side thereof, said contact points being disposed over said sidein such a manner that spacing between said contact points is less thanthe diameter of the projectile which said target is designed to receive,said reader plate also including electrical contact rings correspondingto the scoring rings on said target,

(b) an electrical contact arm means facing said reader plate in closeproximity thereto, said arm means being designed to sweep said one sideof said reader plate and adapted to make physical electrical contactwith at least one contact point and at least one contact ring through aprojectile hole in a target adapted to be moved and indexed between saidarm means and said reader plate,

(c) a display target means having a plurality of lights disposed oversaid display target,

(d) a plurality of first electrical circuit means including holdingcircuits connecting said contact points on said reader plate withcorrespondingly located lights on said display target,

(e) a scoring counter display board having target numerical. values andalso having at least one light for each of said target numerical values,and

(f) a plurality of second electrical circuit means including holdingcircuits connecting said contact rings on said reader plate with lightslighting the appropriate numerical value on said display board.

3. A device for displaying the location and score of a projectile holein a target, comprising:

(a) a reader plate having a great plurality of small electrical contactpoints on one side thereof, said contact points being disposed in anevenly distributed pattern over the face of said plate in such a mannerthat spacing between said contact points is less than the diameter ofthe projectile which said target is designed to receive, said readerplate also including electrical contact rings corresponding to thescoring rings on said target,

(b) a movable electrical contact brush adapted to sweep the face of aused target adapted to be placed over said reader plate and to makephysical contact with at least one contact ring and at least one contactpoint through a projectile hole in said target,

(0) a display target means and scoring board means each having a greatplurality of lights therein; and

(d) first electrical circuit means connecting said con tact points onsaid reader plate with lights having the same general location on saiddisplay target, and second electrical circuit means connecting saidcontact rings on said reader plate with lights on said scoring boardcorresponding to the score value of said contact rings.

4. A device for displaying the location and score of a projectile holein a target, comprising:

(a) a reader plate having a great plurality of small electrical contactpoints on one side thereof, said contact points being disposed in anevenly distributed pattern over the face of said plate in such a mannerthat spacing between said contact points is less than the diameter ofthe projectile which said target is designed to receive, said readerplate also including electrical contact rings corresponding to thescoring rings on said target,

(b) a movable electrical contact brush adapted to sweep the face of aused target adapted to be placed over said reader plate and to makephysical contact with at least one contact ring and at least one contactpoint through a projectile hole in said target,

(c) a display target means and scoring board means each having a greatplurality of lights therein,

(d) first electrical circuit means connecting said contact points onsaid reader plate with lights having the same general location on saiddisplay target,

and second electrical circuit means connecting said contact rings onsaid reader plate with lights on said scoring board corresponding to thescore value of said contact ring, and

(e) a reset switch means for said first and second electrical circuitmeans for opening said circuits and preparing said device to readanother target.

5. A device for displaying the location and score of a projectile holein a target, comprising:

(a) a reader plate having a great plurality of small electrical contactpoints on one side thereof, said contact points being disposed in anevenly distributed pattern over said side in such a manner that spacingbetween said contact points is less than the diameter of a projectilewhich said target is designed to receive, said reader plate alsoincluding electrical contact rings corresponding to the scoring rings onon said reader plate with correspondingly located lights on said displaytarget,

(e) a scoring counter display board having numerical values and alsohaving at least one electric light means for each value,

(f) a plurality of second electrical circuit means including relayholding circuits connecting said contact rings on said reader plate withlights lighting the appropriate numerical value on said display board,and I (g) a reset switch means for said first and second electricalcircuit means for interrupting said circuit and preparing said device toread another target.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS said target,643,173 2/00 Viersen et a1. 273102.2 (b) a movable electrical contactbrush facing said 966,361 8/ 10 Rose 273-1022 reader plate in closeproximity thereto, said brush 2,168,644 8/39 Browning 340378 beingdesigned to sweep said one side of said reader 2,170,167 8/ 39 TafbOX 6t340334 plate and adapted to make physical electrical contact 2,507, 165/50 Lister 340-323 with at least one contact point and at least onecon- 2,883,194 4/59 Boguer 273-1022 tact ring through a projectile holein a target adapted 3,022,076 2/62 Zito 340-323 gialpee, disposedbetween said brush and said reader FOREIGN PATENTS (c) a display targetmeans having a plurality of lights 114,488 4/18 E 1 d therein disposedover said display target, 232,422 52 Switzerlan (d) a plurality of firstelectrical circuit means including relay holding circuits connectingsaid contact points NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

1. A READING AND SCORING DEVICE FOR PROJECTILE TARGETS, COMPRISING: (A)A READER PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SMALL ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS ANDA PLURALITY OF CONTACT RINGS THEREON, (B) AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT ARMMEANS FACING SAID READER PLATE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY THERETO AND BEINGADAPTED TO CONTACT SAID CONTACT POINTS THROUGH A PROJECTILE HOLE IN ATARGET ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BETWEEN SAID ARM ME ANS AND SAID READERPLATE, (C) A DISPLAY TARGET MEANS REMOTELY SITUATED FROM SAID READINGAND SCORING DEVICE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LIGHTS THEREON, (D) A PLURALITYOF FIRST ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID CONTACT POINTS ON SAIDREADER PLATE WITH CORRESPONDINGLY LOCATED LIGHTS ON SAID DISPLAY TARGET,(E) A SCORE COUNTER DISPLAY BOARD MEANS HAVING TARGET NUMERICAL VALUESAND ALSO HAVING AT LEAST ONE LIGHT FOR EACH OF SAID TARGET NUMERICALVALUES, AND (F) A PLURALITY OF SECOND ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANSCONNECTING SAID CONTACT RINGS ON SAID READER PLATE WITH THE APPROPRIATENUMERICAL VALUE ON SAID DISPLAY BOARD MEANS.